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Airforce

Psychologist

Finding out what makes Air Force personnel tick is just one of the exciting challenges of this role. Develop your psychology skills in the fast moving and exciting military world.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    Officer entry

  • Under training

    $71,113

  • Location

    Whenuapai, Ohakea, Woodbourne

As a Military Psychologist, you’ll be employed as a Commissioned Military Officer. You will be involved in a broad range of organisational and military psychology activities. These range from conducting recruitment and selection activities, performance orientated coaching, and supporting operational deployments, humanitarian relief, and peacekeeping activities.

Applicants must have a Master’s Degree in Psychology, preferably with at least one paper in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. A minimum of a B- average in the last two years of full time psychology study is required.

If already registered as a psychologist, you will be introduced to the role through a series of projects relevant to the Defence Force. If unregistered, the Directorate of Psychology will finance and supervise you through your journey to become an NZ-registered psychologist.

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
  • Pass an Officer Selection Board.

Education

  • Hold a Master’s Degree in Psychology or be in your final year of study, preferably with at least one paper in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
  • A minimum of a B average in the last two years of full-time psychology study is required.

Scholarship Entry

The Air Force offer undergraduate scholarships for candidates who demonstrate the qualities required to become a Psychologist.

The scholarships are:

  • RNZAF Undergraduate Scheme: Study at an approved university institution of your choice while the Air Force covers your fees and a living allowance on a ‘year for a year’ return of service basis.
  • Graduate Incentive Scheme: Study at the university of your choice, and on completion of your degree, you will be paid an increasing incentive over the next four years with the monetary value based on the number of full time study years successfully completed. 

View our Scholarship programs

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

If you join our Supervision to Registration Programme to become a registered psychologist, you’ll be contractually obliged to spend another 12 months in the Air Force upon registration.

If you are already registered, there is no contractual obligation to stay for any length of time in the Air Force.

Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

How our Psychologists help enhance the performance of individuals and teams across the NZDF.

  • Job on base

    Your first post as a base psychologist is likely to involve providing support and advice to Air Force commanders on psychological and organisational human resource matters. This involves adopting a consulting-like approach and developing base-wide networks in order to work alongside a wide range of people. Your work will vary; you could be asked to conduct short term coaching, design and deliver training and education on psychology related topics, as well as research and projects tasked by the Head of Air Force Psychology. Subsequent postings and projects may involve more aviation and organisational research. You will also combine your professional career with the responsibilities of being an RNZAF officer, which includes secondary base duties and being involved in general base life.

  • Job on deployment

    Another significant area of work involves support to operations. As an RNZAF Psychologist you are part of a wider team of Defence Force psychologists. All Defence Force psychologists are involved in providing education and support to individuals and formations heading overseas on deployments, as well as providing support and screening for those returning from missions. From time to time this work occurs outside NZ; so you maybe called upon to serve overseas temporarily.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $71,113

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,784

20220909 NZDF R1055140 005

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
Air Force Application Process 20240920

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Air Force career?

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